Frances was trying to escape into the ladies' retirement room and take refuge there for an hour, no! As long as she could escape from her mother. As if on cue her mother appeared in front of her; Frances was sure her mother could hear her thoughts.

"Frances! I hope you are not planning on spending this evening in hiding", admonished her mother.

"Mama! how could you accuse me of such a thing? You know how much I like London Balls." said Frances, her innocent act fooling no one. They both knew she hated the London season. Frances was a country girl, she didn't do well in the polished society.

"Come along, Viscount Waymound asked for a waltz with you" said her mother Sophia Hill.

Mrs. Sophia Hill was not an ambitious mama like the rest of mamas the town; she didn't want her daughter to be married to a wealthy gentleman. She just wanted her to be married before Frances does any permanent damage.

"Not Lord Waymound", Anne said" Frances started to moan before her mother quelled her with a glare.

Mrs.Hill groaned internally and thought, "what did Anne say this time. If Anne doesn't shut up, Frances is going to end up a spinster, although Frances can manage it all by herself".

Frances was one and twenty and breathtakingly beautiful with her green eyes and brunette hair. This was her first London season. She was considered the season's diamond. Her dance card was always full. When she said she was thirsty, there was a mad rush to the lemonade stand to fetch her a drink. Their sitting room was filled with bouquets.

Others may think Mrs.Hill's worries were baseless, but she knew better. Mrs.Hill's plan was to get Frances married to a decent gentleman when he is befuddled by her beauty before he stumbles upon her "problem".

They had traveled all the way from Liverpool as Frances managed to scare away every gentleman there. Mrs. Hill had hoped that Lord Kenworthy would marry Frances, he was friends with Frances and mostly kept her problem in check, but he married the all mysterious Indian girl Sanah James.

"Remember the London rules, Franny", ordered Mrs.Hill.

"Yes Mama!", Frances sighed.

"Lord Waymound", curtsied Frances.

"Miss Hill, you look as lovely as ever, shall we" said Lord Waymound.

Frances counted to ten and said "Weather seems to be pleasant today, Lord", said Frances.

Lord Waymound offered his hand with a "Shall we". Frances took it as he led her to the dance floor. Frances was a good dancer, but she preferred Scottish reel to Waltz.

They bowed as the dance ended and Frances sidled toward the retirement room but was ambushed once again not by her Mother but her aunt. Her aunt Lady Mary Smith Baronies of Nottingham was notoriously famous for her gossiping skill and she knew everything happening in London.

"Come on girl, we need to find your mama, I have important news for her", said Lady Smith.

"Mama is near the lemonade stand, I need to use the ladies' room", said Frances. Lady Smith gave her you-don't-fool-me-for-a-second look, took Frances's elbow and frog marched her.

"What happened Mary? What did Frances do?", asked Mrs.Hill looking mortified.

"Relax Sophie, Frances is well-behaved, and am sure she remembers London rules," said Lady Smith giving a stare which Frances knew to mean ''I'm an adult, I know what I'm doing and you should do well to remember it'. Frances nodded barely managing to roll her eyes.

Her Aunt Mary was excellent at giving messages through her eyes. "You can't mother nine children without learning a thing or two", thought Frances.

"I saw Frances dance with Lord Waymound. We should stop his advances, he is not a good match, I heard he is a drunk and gambler", said Aunt Mary.

"But he seemed sober when we danced", said Frances, but thankful she didn't have to reject him. She knew if aunty Mary said he was a drunk, he must be.

Mrs.Hill said, "As long as he doesn't get violent, I think it would be better if he is drunk. Mostly, it would keep his mind off you know -", she lowered her voice and said " Frances's problem". This time Frances did roll her eyes.

Frances believed in love, she did not want to marry anyone as her mother would like for her to. She missed George, he knew her better than she did herself. She would be forced to call him Lord Kenworthy if he was here. But he couldn't come as his wife Sanah was 7-months pregnant. Frances hoped she could be back home before Chundu, Master Kenworthy, arrived. What a weird nickname to call a kid! Sanah had explained that it was a nickname for mouse in her native language. Frances smiled again - who would call their kids a mouse? But George, to her astonishment, went along.

"Frances! Frances! are you listening to what I said?", asked her Aunt Mary giving her a look which meant what-are-you-doing-not-hanging-to-every-word-I-tell-you.

"Sorry Aunt Mary, what did you say?", apologized Frances.

"Lord Vandam is attending today", said Aunt. Seeing Mrs.Hill's incomprehension, "Earl of Brentwood" explained her Aunt.

"I thought he didn't attend parties," said Frances.

"Stay clear of him, avoid him by all means".

"Why? He is quite vocal in parliament. I read reports that under his stewardship agriculture production tripled and he was appreciated by the king himself. And he is friends with Prince Philip. Such a person can't be a bad person. I really hope you would introduce me" concluded Frances.

"No!", her aunt nearly screamed, many people turned in their direction.

Aunt Mary smiled apologetically, lowered her voice, and said, "He is a beard" "Mary!", admonished Mrs.Hill glared at Aunt Mary the way she usually reserved for Frances. "splitter" finished Aunt Mary.

Frances was amused to watch this exchange, though she didn't know what was wrong with spitting bread. It was obviously a bad thing, she supposed wasting food is wrong.

But one thing was clear: if Lord Vandam could induce such a reaction in Aunt Mary, she should avoid him.